Water damage is the stuff of nightmares for most property owners. If snow melts quickly, rivers burst their banks, or there is significant rainfall, the chance of water damage occurring is significant. When there is water damage, this affects everything, from the basement to the attic, and restoration costs frequently run into the thousands. So, what type of water damage can you expect to see?
One of the key effects of water damage is the presence of mold, which is why most restoration companies focus strongly on mold removal and mold remediation. Mold is part of nature's way to help in the process of decomposition, but it is also highly destructive to property. Just 24 to 48 hours after sustaining water damage, mold will start to grow. Mold can grow any surface and can be found anywhere, from under your floorboards to the inside of your kitchen cupboards. It affects the structural integrity of a property and can even affect the health of people living there. Therefore, it is not a problem that can be left alone. Another very dangerous problem that can emerge is black water contamination. Black water is water that comes from unsanitary places, such as sewage water. When black water contamination happens, which can be because of lake or river water, there is a real danger to public health. Remediation is possible but incredibly difficult, with most people having to replace all the structural parts of their home and all their furniture. Furthermore, residents of the property must receive vaccinations because of possible contamination with tetanus bacteria and other diseases. It is common for black water to be present in basement water. When a home sustains water damage, its gas an electricity lines will also often be affected. Anything that could cause an explosion or electrocution must be switched off and rewired. This means that most people in a water damaged property will not be able to make use of their utilities for some time. Even the smallest bit of basement water can cause this problem and it usually means having to replace electrical and gas appliances, costing thousands of dollars.
Finally, water damage can have negative effects on health. Indeed, this is why it is so important to immediately call in a restoration expert. Mold is common in water damaged properties and affects the airways, causing people to suffer from asthma and allergy attacks. This is particularly dangerous for those with a poor immune system, the elderly, and children. Furthermore, even healthy people are at greater risk of developing a respiratory illness. As stated, black water contamination is a very real danger. Finally, people affected by water damage may also suffer from emotional problems. The human suffering of losing everything is huge.